9-aroyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acids

ABSTRACT

Novel 9-aroyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazoles bearing a carboxy substituent at position 3 or 4 and corresponding esters having antiinflammatory activity, the preparation thereof and novel intermediates therefor are described.

United States Patent Alexander et al. Aug. 29, 1972 [54] 9-AROYL-l,2,3,4- [56] References Cited TETRAHYDROCARBAZOLE-fafi- OTHER PUBLICATIONS DICARBOXYLIC ACIDS Inventors: Ernest John Alexander, East Greenbush; Aram Mooradian, Schodack,

both of NY.

Assignee: Sterling Drug Inc., New York, N.Y.

Filed: June 2, 1970 Appl. N0.: 42,620

US. Cl. ..260/315, 260/514 R, 260/468 R, 260/558 H, 260/559 H, 260/340.5, 260/576, 260/571, 424/274 Int. Cl. ..C07d 27/68 Field of Search ..260/315 C. A. 71: 219722 (1969) Rashidyan et al.

Primary ExaminerHenry R. Jiles Assistant ExaminerS. D. Winters Att0rneyElmer J. Lawson, B. Woodrow Wyatt, Thomas L. Johnson, Robert K. Bair, William G. Webb and Roger T. Wolfe ABSTRACT Novel 9-aroyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazoles bearing a carboxy substituent at position 3 or 4 and corresponding esters having antiinflammatory activity, the preparation thereof and novel intermediates therefor are described.

10 Claims, No Drawings 9-AROYL-1 ,2,3 ,4-TETRAHYDROCARBAZOLE-3 ,3-

DICARBOXYLIC ACIDS COMPOUNDS AND PROCESSES (QOv I wherein (Ar) represents a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring; Q and Q represent members of the group consisting of lower-alkyl, phenyl-tower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, phenyl-lower-alkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl, amino, di(lower-alkyDamino, lower-alkanoylamino, trihalomethyl, trihalomethoxy, halo and hydroxy; Z and Z represent members of the group consisting of lower-alkylthio, lower-alkylsulfinyl, lower-alkylsulfonyl and nitro; m represents an integer from O to (3-n) inclusive; p represents an integer from to (3-g) inclusive; n and 8 represent integers from O to 1 inclusive R represents hydrogen or lower-alkyl; and R, and R each represent hydrogen or methyl, at least one of which is hydrogen; or (0), taken together with (Z),,, or (Q taken together with (Z represent methylenedioxy attached to adjacent carbon atoms.

In another aspect of this invention there are provided compounds having the formula ?if i e wherein (Ar) represents a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring; Q and Q represent members of the group consisting of lower-alkyl, phenyl-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, phenyl-lower-alkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl, di(lower-alkyl)amino, trihalomethyl, trihalomethoxy, halo and hydroxy; Z and 2;, represent lower-alkylthio; m represents an integer from O to (3-n) inclusive; p represents an integer from to (3-g) inclusive; n and g represent integers from O to l inclusive; R represents hydrogen or lower-alkyl; and R represents hydrogen or methyl; or (0 taken together with (2 or (Q taken together with (Z represent methylenedioxy attached to adjacent carbon atoms.

It will be understood, here and throughout the specification, that when R represents methyl, said methyl can occur at any one of the positions C C C or C of the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole ring.

In another aspect of the invention there are provided compounds having the formula 1)r- }(Q1)n In wherein (Ar) represents a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring; Q and Q, represent members of the group consisting of lower-alkyl, phenyl-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, phenyl-lower-alkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl, amino, di(lower-alkyl)amino, lower-alkanoylamino, trihalomethyl, trihalomethoxy, halo and hydroxy; Z and 2 represent members of the group consisting of lower-alkylthio, lower-alkylsulfinyl, lower-alkylsulfonyl and nitro; m represents an integer from O to (3-n) inclusive; p represents an integer from O to (3-g) inclusive; and n and g represent integers from 0 to 1 inclusive; or (Q),,. taken together with (Z),., or (01);: taken together with (2 represent methylenedioxy attached to adjacent carbon atoms.

In another aspect of the invention there are provided compounds having the formula wherein R represents hydrogen or represents a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring; 0,, and Q represent members of the group consisting of loweralkyl, phenyl-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, phenyl-loweralkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl, di(lower-alkyl)amino, trihalomethyl, trihalomethoxy and halo; 2., and Z represents lower-alkylthio; m represents an integer from 0 to (3-n) inclusive; p represents an integer from O to (3-g) inclusive; n and g represent integers from 0 to 1 inclusive; (Ph) represents a benzene ring; 0,; represents a member of the group consisting of loweralkyl, lower-alkoxy and halo; r represents an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive, Z represents hydrogen; and R and R each represent hydrogen or methyl, at least one of which is hydrogen; or (0 taken together with (2 or (0 taken together with (2 or (Q taken together with Z represent methylenedioxy attached to adjacent carbon atoms.

The compounds having formulas III AND lV above are useful as intermediates in the preparation of the compounds of formula I above as more fully described hereinbelow.

In another aspect of the invention there are provided compounds having the formula r-(Qn): 002C112 Pll (Q7)m R4 (Zfln 11% V wherein R represents hydrogen or (QB)n I Ar-C=O; (Ar) 8)x represents a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring; 0, and Q represent members of the group consisting of lower-alkyl, phenyl-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, phenyllower-alkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl, di(lower-alkyl)amino, trihalomethyl, trihalomethoxy and halo; 2, and Z represent lower-alkylthio; m represents an integer from 0 to (3-n) inclusive; p represents an integer from O to (3-g) inclusive; n and g represent integers from 0 to l inclusive; (Ph) represents a benzene ring; Q represents a member of the group consisting of lower-alkyl, loweralkoxy and halo; r represents an integer from O to 3 inclusive; Z represents hydrogen; and R represents hydrogen or methyl; or (0 taken together with (2 or (0 taken together with (2 or (Q taken together with Z represent methylenedioxy attached to adjacent carbon atoms.

The compounds having formula V above are useful as intermediates in the preparation of the compounds of formula II above as more fully described hereinbelow.

It will be understood, here and throughout the specification, that the benzene ring and naphthalene ring represented by (Ar) and the benzene ring represented by (Ph) are such rings attached at any one of their available positions to the carbonyl carbon atom and methylene carbon atom (-CH respectively and it will be further understood that the substituents represented by Q, Q Q Q Z, Z Z and 1; 1 3 5 Q8 1, 3, 5 and 8; and Q8 and 9 can occur at any of the available positions of the benzene ring of the tetrahydrocarbazole; the benzene ring or naphthalene ring of the radical represented by (Ar) and the benzene ring of the radical represented by (Ph) respectively and where, in each case, there is more than one substituent they can be the same or different and they can occur in any position combination relative to each other.

It will also be understood, here and throughout the specification, that when (0) taken together with (Z),,; (Q taken together with (2 (Q taken together wi h (22),; (03), taken together with (23).; (04) taken together with (2 (0 taken together with (2 (Q taken together with Z (Q taken together with (2 (0 taken together with (2 and (Q taken together with Z represent methylenedioxy attached to adjacent carbon atoms, each such methylenedioxy group can occur at any of the available adjacent positions of the rings represented by (Ar) and (Ph) to which it is attached, and it will be further understood that for any particular compound of the invention, either or both of (0),, taken together with (2),, and (Q taken together with (Z (formulas I and III), or (0 taken together with (Z and (Q taken together with (Z (formula II), or one or two or all of (Q taken together with (2 (Q taken together with (2 and (Q taken together with Z (formula IV), or (0 taken together with 2 (Q8)p taken together with (Z and (Q taken together with 2,, (formula V) can be methylenedioxy attached to adjacent carbon atoms.

As used throughout this specification, the terms lower-alkyl, Iower-alkoxy, and lower-alkanoyl mean such group preferably containing from one to six carbon atoms which can be arranged as straight or branched chains, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, are illustrated by methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, amyl, hexyl and the like for alkyl; methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isobutoxy, hexyloxy and the like for alkoxy; and acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, hexanoyl and the like for alkanoyl.

As used throughout this specification the term halo means chloro, bromo, iodo and fluoro.

' The free acid forms of the compounds of formulas I and II where R and R respectively are hydrogen are convertible to the corresponding salt form by interaction of a particular acid with a base, and such salts are considered to be the full equivalents of the acids and esters of formulas I and II. Examples of such salts are salts of heavy metals such as zinc and iron, alkali metal salts, for example, sodium and potassium; alkali earth metal salts, for example, calcium and barium; the aluminum and magnesium salts; and ammonium salts, such as those derived from ammonia or amines such as methylamine, ethylamine, isopropylamine, hexylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, methyl ethylamine, di(sec-propyl)amine, dihexylamine, methyl cyclohexylamine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, choline, glucosamine, Z-hydroxyethylamine, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine and the like. Of course, by virtue of the herein disclosed pharmaceutical utility of the compounds of formulas I and II the preferred salts are the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and such salts are considered to be the full equivalents, particularly for pharmaceutical use, of the free acids and esters of formulas I and II.

In the process aspects of the invention there are provided the processes described more fully hereinbelow as follows:

The compounds of the invention having formula I are prepared by the methods described and illustrated in the flow charts below.

They are prepared by one method by reacting an appropriate -aroyI-l-phenylhydrazine (formula VI) with an appropriate cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid or ester thereof (formula VII) or the known cyclohexanone-4,4-dicarboxylic acid (formula VIIa) to give the corresponding l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid or ester thereof (formula I) or corresponding l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid (formula III) respectively and further reacting the dicarboxylic acid (III), under pyrolytic conditions, in order to effect monodecarboxylation to give the corresponding compound of formula I (R=H). The condensation reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, for example acetic acid or, when tee corresponding lower-alkyl ester is desired, in an alkanol such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or butyl alcohol in the presence of a suitable condensing agent, for example, acids such a hydrochloric, hydrobromic, polyphosphon ic, sulfuric and acetic acid, and Lewis acids such as zinc chloride, cuprous chloride, boron trifluoride, boron trifluoride etherate and the like.

The reaction of the hydrazines having formula VI with the cyclohexanones having formulas VII and VIIa can be carried out in a suitable solvent at temperatures of from about 20 C. to 100 C. for from about minutes to several hours, the choice of solvent, catalyst, temperature and time of reaction depending on the nature of the reactants. Generally, the reaction is conveniently carried out by heating a solution of an appropriate 1- aroyl-l-phenylhydrazine of formula VI in the form of its acid-addition salt, e.g. hydrochloride salt, and an appropriate cyclohexanone of formula VH or VIIa in glacial acetic acid at about 60 to 70 C. for about 30 minutes. The mono-decarboxylation reaction leading to the compounds of formula I where R is hydrogen can be carried out by heating the appropriate dicarboxylic acid having formula III, if desired in the presence of a suitable solvent, to a temperature where carbon dioxide evolution begins and continuing heating at about that temperature until carbon dioxide evolution ceases. Generally the reaction proceeds readily when an appropriate dicarboxylic acid of formula III is heated, in the absence of solvent, at about 170 to 200 C.

The compounds of the invention having formula I where R is lower-alkyl can also be prepared from the free carboxylic acids (I, R=l-I) by standard esterification procedures. In view of the sensitivity to hydrolysis of the 9-aroyl moiety of the compounds having formula I to the strong acidic condition used in some procedures to effect esterification, for example, treatment with alkanols in the presence of a strong acid, esterification procedures which avoid such conditions are preferred, for example, esterification with diazoalkanes or with alkanols (ROH, where R is lower-alkyl) in the presence of an equivalent of cyclohexylcarbodiimide.

The intermediate l-aroyll -phenylhydrazines having formula VI used in the preparation of the compounds having formulas I and III are known compounds or are readily prepared by standard procedures from the corresponding phenylhydrazines and corresponding aroyl halides as follows:

To a stirred, ice-bath cooled solution of acetaldehyde (or other suitable aldehyde, e.g. benzaldehyde) (1.1 mole) in 300 ml. ether is added slowly the appropriate phenylhydrazine (1 mole) and stirring is continued for one hour. The solution is washed with water and the ether layer is separated, dried and evaporated under reduced pressure to give the corresponding acetaldehyde phenylhydrazone which can be purified by standard procedures or used as such in the next step. To a stirred ice-bath cooled solution of the thus obtained acetaldehyde phenylhydrazone (0.12 mole) in ml. of pyridine is added slowly the appropriate aroyl chloride (0.02 mole) and the resulting mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature and diluted with ice-water. The resulting corresponding acetaldehyde N-aroyl-N-phenylhydrazone, if a solid, is collected by filtration, washed with water and dried; if a gum or oil, the supernatant liquid is decanted, the residue is dissolved in ether and the solution is washed thoroughly with water, dried and used as such in the next step. To a stirred solution or suspension of the thus obtained corresponding acetaldehyde N-aroyl-N-phenylhydrazone in ethyl alcohol or in ether is added a solution of hydrogen chloride (in excess of one equivalent) in ether or ethyl alcohol respectively and stirring is continued for one hour. If required, additional other is then added to aid the precipitation of the resulting cor responding l-aroyl-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride which is collected by filtration and washed with ether and generally is used as such in the next step without further purification. The corresponding free hydrazine can be obtained, if desired, by reaction of the hydrochloride salt with an equivalent amount of appropriate base, using standard procedures.

The phenylhydrazines employed in the preparation of the intermediate compounds having formula VI are known compounds or are readily prepared from the corresponding known anilines, which belong to a well known class of compounds, using standard procedures. For example, a convenient method is the reaction of an appropriately substituted aniline with sodium nitrite in the presence of hydrochloric acid and reduction of the resulting corresponding phenyldiazonium chloride with stannous chloride followed by treatment with sodium hydroxide to give the corresponding substituted phenylhydrazine.

The aroyl halides employed in the preparation of the intermediate compounds having formula VI are known compounds or are readily prepared from the corresponding known arylcarboxylic acids using standard procedures, e.g., by reaction of an appropriate arylcarboxylic acid with an appropriate halogenating agent such as thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride.

The intermediate cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acids having formula VII (R=H) and certain lower-alkyl esters thereof are known compounds. Other loweralkyl esters thereof can be prepared by standard esterification procedures such as reaction of the carboxylic acid with an appropriate diazoalkane, for example, diazomethane; by reaction of the carboxylic acid with an appropriate alcohol (ROI-I, where R is lower-alkyl) in the presence of an acid catalyst, for example, sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid, or in the presence of an equivalent of cyclohexylcarbodiimide; and by reaction of the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid with thionyl chloride and further reaction of the acid chloride so formed with an appropriate alcohol.

The compounds having formula I are prepared by an obtained is conveniently carried out by suspending or alternative method. They are prepared by reacting an dissolving it in ethyl alcohol and subjecting it to a appropriate 9-H-l,2,3,4tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxhydrogen atmosphere in the presence of a five to 10 ylic acid lower-alkyl ester (formula VIII) or benzyl percent palladium-on-charcoal, in the amount of about ester (formula s with an appropriate aroyl ha- 1 to 5 percent by weight of benzyl ester, at a temperali a g the formula below, Where X iS ture ranging from room temperature to about 80 C., mide, chloride or fluoride, o giv e c rre p n i g stopping the reaction when about the stoichiometric aroyl-i2,3i4-tetrahydrocafbalole-3-ea1'boXylic acid amount of hydrogen has reacted, and isolating and pulowef-aikyl ester (formula R y benzyl rifying the corresponding S-carboxylic acid by standard ester (formula procedures. The compounds having formula I where R (Q99 f 1 is hydrogen are also prepared by subjecting the cor RF I responding t-butyl ester (I, R t-butyl) to pyrolytic (Z5): k/ J conditions which selectively remove the t-butyl moiety V to give the corresponding free carboxylic acid. The respectively and further subjecting the benzyl ester so reaction is conveniently carried out by heating a mixobtained to hydrogenolysis to give the corresponding ture of the t-butyl ester with powdered porous plate in a compound of formula I where R is hydrogen. nitrogen atmosphere at about 210 C.

f I 0 (Q5) D Ar( ]X I1(R=H or (Z s) KT J a ii r gi IX I H2 VIII(R-=lower-alkyl) (Q09 1 IV(R5=H) IX w R5: ArC=O V v (Z5) The aroylation reaction is carried out by converting an The aroyl halides (IX) are known compounds or can appropriate 9-H-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carbe readily prepared from the corresponding arylcarboxylic acid ester by known procedures to a suitable boxylic acids by the known methods described salt, for example an alkali metal salt such as the sodium hereinabove.

salt (9-Na) and further reacting the salt so obtained The intermediate 9-H-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 with an appropriate aroyl halide (IX), in a suitable sol- -carboxylic acids lower-alkyl esters (VIII, R lower-alvent, at a temperature ranging from about room temkyl) are prepared by the methods more fully described perature to about 100 C. to give the corresponding hereinbelow or are prepared by known esterification compound having formula I y of procedures from the corresponding 9-I-I-l,2,3,4-

respon ing comp nd having formula IV 40 tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acids (VIII, R=H).

r O For example, an appropriate carboxylic acid can be 1 II treated in an alkanol (ROH, where R is lower-alkyl) in R5: AI'C J the presence of hydrogen chloride to give the corj H 7 responding ester; or the cyclohexylcarbodumide The hydrogenolysis is carried out by subjecting a solumethod for preparing esters referred to hereinabove tion or suspension of the benzyl ester so obtained, in a may be employed; or an appropriate carboxylic acid suitable solvent, to a hydrogen atmosphere at room or can be converted to the alkali metal salt which is then elevated temperatures and a pressure of one or more reacted with a halogenating agent to give the coratmospheres in the presence of a suitable catalyst until responding acid halide. The acid halide so obtained is the required amount of hydrogen has reacted. Suitable then reacted with an appropriate alcohol (ROI-l, where solvents that can be used are, for example, methyl al- R is lower-alkyl) or its alkali metal salt to give the coreohoi, ethyl alcohol, ethyl acetate or aeetio acid and responding ester. A convenient method is reaction of the like. Su table cataly that Can be used the carboxylic acid with about an equivalent of sodium ample, nickel; palladium or platinum or such catalysts h d id t iv th corresponding sodium salt and Supported on a Su e me Such as Charcoal, gfurther reaction of the salt with thionyl chloride folpalladium-on-eharooal- The r yl ion feaetion iS lowed by reaction of the carboxylic acid chloride so obvehiehtly carried out y reacting a tained with the appropriate alcohol or sodium or potastetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid lower-alkyl or i Salt of h alcohol to i the ester 111 R benzyl ester with an equivalent of sodium hydride in l lk ly Th b li esters can l b dimethylformamide at about to 100 C. for about 60 repared the known procedure of reacting the ap- 15 minutes and treating a Solution of the Sodium 50 propriate carboxylic acid with cyclohexylcarbodiimide Obtained with an equivalent of the aroyl halide to give the corresponding symmetrical carboxylic acid and continuing heating at about 600 for anhydride and treating the anhydride so obtained with about 1 to 2 hours, and isolating the resulting an appropriate alcohol in the presence of an acid responding 9-aryol- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-C8I- catalyst, for example zinc chloride. The t-butyl esters, boxylic acid lower-alkyl or benzyl ester by standard intermediates for the pyrolytic conversion to the comprocedures. The hydrogenolysis of the benzyl ester so pounds of formula I (R=I-I) as described hereinabove,

3,687,969 9 10 can be Conveniently P p y this latter Procedure The compounds of the invention having formula II The 9-l-l-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic are prepared, as illustrated in the flow chart below, aeid benzyl esters F' can be P p from the from the corresponding 9-H- l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocar- Corresponding free carboxylic acids and corresponding bazole-4-carboxylic acid alkyl esters (X, R lower-alknown benzyl alcohols using the known esterification 5 kyl) and benzyl esters (V, R H) using methods procedu es de be e a e Alternatively, they similar to those described hereinabove for the preparacan be prepared by reacting an alkali metal salt of an tion of the compounds having formula I from the 9-H- appropriate carboxylic acid with an appropriate benzyl l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid alkyl bromide or chloride in a suitable solvent. The latter esters (VIII R=lower-alkyl) and benzyl esters, (IV, R reaction is conveniently carried out by reacting the car- 10 H), that is, by aroylation with an appropriate aroyl boxylic acid with an equivalent of abenzyl chloride and halide having the formula XI below, where X is an equivalent of sodium carbonate in dimethylformachloride, bromide or fluoride, and, in the case of the mide at about 80l00 C. for about 1 hour. The benzyl benzyl esters bromides and chlorides belong to a group of well f known compounds and are generally known or can be T\ 1 V, R5: AIC=O prepared from the corresponding known toluenes by (Z8) standard halogenation procedure, e.g. reaction of an a pp p e h h with sulful'yl chloride or so obtained, subsequent hydrogenolysis, or, in the case bromosuccrnimide m the presence of a peroxide such fth 1 11 1 Subsequent 1 as ey P e to give h eorrespohdihg toluenesis, to give the corresponding free carboxylic acid (II, -e 0f bf0mlde, that 15, benzyl ehloflde 0f R3: H). Since hydroxy substituents will also undergo mlde, fespeetlvelybenzoylation during this reaction, compounds of the in- The 9-H-l3,3A-tetrahydroeafbalole-3'earboxylie vention were Q represents hydroxy are prepared from acids and their corresponding lower-alkyl esters (VIII) corresponding compounds where Q2 i benzoyloxy, and benzyl esters can be P p from the subsequent to the benzoylation reaction, as more fully responding Phenylhydrazihes and y e disclosed hereinbelow. The aroyl halides (XI) are boxylic acids and its lower-alkyl esters (VII) using the known compounds or can be prepared by known general Procedures described hereinabove for the methods described hereinbefore for the preparation of preparation of the tetrahydrocarbazoles having formuthe aroyl halides ff la 1x 18 I from the corresponding y -ph y y The compounds of the invention having formula II and eyclhexahone-4'eal'hoxyhc where R, is lower-alkyl can also be prepared from the It will be understood that in the methods described f carboxylic acids 1 Ra=H) b Standard iti hereinabove for the Preparation of the compounds of tion procedures as described hereinbefore for the the invention having formula I that, unless otherwise inpreparation f compounds having f l I (R dicated, Q, Q1, Z, 1, m, n, P g 1 and 2; and. lower-alkyl) from the corresponding free carboxylic Q41 Q5 Q6 Z41 Z5, Z6, y "1 P 8 s R1! R2 acids (I,

COZRQ o (Q )v\ (Q1)m R4 /Ar( i-X II (R;=H or lower-alkyl) Z N j H 7 n 2 H XI X(R =lower-alkyl) 3 (QQDA V(R@=H) XI V R6= Arc=o 8)x w and R have the same meaning as defined above for for- The 9-I-I-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic mulas I and III; and formula IV, respectively, except acid lower-alkyl esters (X, R =1ower-alkyl) and benzyl where O and/or 0 represents amino or hydroxy. The esters (V, R H) used as intermediates in the preparacompounds of the invention having formulas I and III tion of the compounds having formula II are obtained were 0 and/or Q each includes on or more hydroxy by reacting the corresponding free 4-carboxylic acids substitutents, and/or Z and/or Z, each includes an (X, R, H) with appropriate known alcohols (R Ol-l, amino substituents, are prepared, if desired from the where R, is lower-alkyl) or diazoalkanes, and benzyl corresponding compounds having formulas I and III bromides or chlorides, respectively, using the known where O and/or Q includes one or more benzyloxy esterification procedures described hereinabove for the substituents, and/or Z and/or Z, includes a nitro subpreparation of the 9-H-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3- stituent, respectively, by well known catalytic carboxylic acid lower-alkyl esters (VIII, R lower-alhydrogenation procedures whereby said substituents kyl) and benzyl esters (IV, R =H) respectively; and in are converted to hydroxy and/or amino substitutents. the case where O1 is y y. Whieh substituent is The hydrogenation is carried out at room temperature troduced by reductive cleavage of the corresponding in an inert solvent, e.g. ethyl alcohol, under essentially compound where Q, is benzyloxy, as described below, neutral conditions in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such hydroxy substituent is concurrently converted to e.g. Raney nickel or palladium-on-charcoal, at about the corresponding compound where Q, is a benzyloxy atmospheric pressure and the hydrogenation is stopped substituent, during the preparation of the benzyl ester, after the stoichiometric amount of hydrogen has or, in the case of the lower-alkyl esters, the hydroxy reacted. substituent is converted to a benzyloxy substituent, im-

mediately following the esterification step. The benzyl ried out by treating a cooled solution of the appropriate bromides and chlorides are known compounds or are cyclohexanone-Z-carboxylic acid ester in ether or carreadily prepared by known halogenating me ods fro bon tetrachloride with an equivalent or slight excess of the corresponding toluenes as described hereinabove. b i ll i th 1 ti t t d at r t Th b 2, r e y f i y 5 perature for about 1 hours, and isolating the resulting aclds s Used as lmel'medlates the p p 5-bromocyclohexanone-Z-carboxylic acid ester by tion of the corresponding lower-alkyl esters (X, R t d d h i y and benzyl esters a= are P p The intermediate phenylbenzylamines (XII are from the Corresponding y 1 rzr3r4letrahydl'oear' known compounds or are readily prepared by standard balole-4-earboxylie aeldsr havlng the formula X3 10 procedures from the corresponding known anilines and below, by reductive removal of the benzyl moiety using corresponding known b ld h d as f ll known y e y e proeedufes, that alkeli To a stirred warm solution of an appropriate aniline metal/ammonla Chemical reduetlon, Sodmm (1.0 mole) in 400 ml. dry methyl alcohol is added dropliquid a o and in the case where Q is a benzyloxwise an appropriate benzaldehyde and the solution is y Substituemr the benzyl moiety will concurrently l5 heated at reflux for 30 minutes and then cooled on ice. dergo reductive removal to give the corresponding The resulting Schiff base is collected by filtration and compound where 0-, is hydroxy. The 9-benzyl group washed with methyl alcohol. To a suspension of the can be unsubstituted on phenyl o ubsti e on ph latter in methyl alcohol is added portionwise, sodium 31 for p y halo, alkyl, alkoxy Substitueflts 50 borohydride (1.0 mole) and the mixture is refluxed long as such substitution does not prevent or interfere b t 15 to 30 minutes after completion of the addiwith the subsequent reductive removal of the 9-benzyl ti W t (200 ml.) i added and the mixture is exgrouptracted with ether and the ether extract is dried and The lmermedlate y compounds having evaporated to dryness to give the corresponding phenmula Xa are prepared, as illustrated below, by reaction lb l l hi h i d a such in the next ste of at lees} two equivalents of an appropriate p y or, if desired, is purified by standard procedures before benzylamme (XII) with one equivalent of an apuse propriate 6-bromocyclohexanone-2-carboxylic acid It will be understood that in the methods described m hyl or ethyl ester is 8 Suitable Solvent if hereinabove for the preparation of the compounds of desired to give the correspon ing me e 6- the invention having formula II that, unless otherwise anilino-cyclohexanone-Z-carboxylic acid ester (XIV) i di t d, (A (Ph), Q Q8, Q Z Z 2,, m, n, which is then heated with a suitable acid catalyst, e.g. R R a d R hav the same meaning as defined zinc chloride, to effect cyclization to the corresponding above for formulas II and V respectively. The com- 9-benzyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic pounds of the invention having formula II where Q acid ester. The ester so obtained is then hydrolyzed, and/ r Q each includes one or more hydroxy sub- US g n d Procedures, to the orresponding free 4- stituents are prepared, if desired, from the correspondcarboxyhc ac1d(Xa). ing compound having formula V where Q and/or Q CO2 Et) C02 ZnC 12 (302E -v 0- O- (Qvm J R4 -r (Qfl R4 (Q7)m I +114 -NH Br- N hydrolysis N/V (25f benzyl 1)n (Z01: I

XIII benzyl benzyl XII XIy Xa The reaction is conveniently carried out by mixing respectively, includes one or more benzyloxy subtogether a bromocyclohexanonecarboxylic acid ester stituents, by known catalytic hydrogenation procedures (XIII) and two to two and one-half equivalents of a as described hereinabove for the preparation of comphenylbenzylamine (XII) and allowing the mixture to pounds of formula I where Q and/or Q includes one or stand at from about 20 C, to 100 C. for from one-half more hydroxy substituents.

to 24 hours, depending on the reaction temperature The compounds of the invention having formulas I employed, to give the intermediate anilinocyclohex- AND II were found to have antiinflammatory activity anone (XIV). Depending on the nature of the reacand are usefulasantiinflammatory agents.

tants, the reaction can be performed in the absence of The ollowing are brief descriptions of the pharsolvent or a suitable solvent such as benzene may be macoiogical es procedures used to determine the desirable. The intermediate anilinocyclohexanone above disclosed antiinflammatory activity of the com- (XIV) is then heated with zinc chloride at about l00to P un s OfthlS e ion: 200 C. for about one-half to 2 hours and the corresponding 9-benzyll ,2,3,4-tetrahydr0carbazole-4- Asbestos Pellet Granuloma Test in Rats carboxylic acid ester so obtained is treated with potas- Young male rats weighing 100-120 g are used. sium hydroxide in aqueous ethyl or methyl alcohol to Under light ether anesthesia, a single sterilized asbestos give the free carboxylic acid (Xa). pellet weighing approximately 30 mg is implanted sub- The 6-bromocyclohexanone-2-carboxylic acid esters cutaneously in the interscapular area via a small skin (XIII) used as intermediates in the above described incision and closed with awound clip. In any one assay, procedure are known compounds or can be readily the pellet weights are within a 2 mg. range. Beginning prepared by reacting the corresponding known on the day of pellet implantation, the animals receive 7 cyclohexanone-2-carboxylic acid esters with bromine daily medications of test compound suspended by trituin a suitable solvent. The reaction is conveniently carrating in 1 percent gum tragacanth using a ground glass homogenizer and administered by gavage in a volume of l nil/100 g body weight. Control animals receive the vehicle only. Food and water are permitted ad libitum. Twenty-four hours after the last medication, the animals are weighed, sacrificed and the pellets with surrounding granuloma carefully removed and weighed.

Inhibition of Carrageenin-Induced Foot Edema in Rats Young male rats weighing 100-110 g are used. Food is withdrawn approximately 18 hours prior to medication but the animals are permitted free access to drinking water up to the time of medication. Drugs to be tested are suspended by tritutrating in 1 percent gum tragacanth using ground glass homogenizers and administered by gavage in a volume of l ml/l g body weight. Control animals received the gum tragacanth only. One hour after medication, 0.05 ml of 1 percent suspension of carrageenin in 0.9 percent saline is injected into the plantar tissue of the left hind paw. Three hours after injection of the carrageenin, edema formation, i.e., increase in foot volume (difference between left hind paw and the uninjected right hind paw) is measured plethysmographically in the unanesthetized rat.

Inhibition Adjuvant-lnduced Arthritis in Rats Adult male rats weighing 200-230 grams areused. Adjuvant (M. butyricum), 0.1 ml of 0.6 percent suspension in heavy mineral oil, is injected into the plantar tissue of the left hind paw. A negative control group is injected with mineral oil only. Beginning on the ninth day after adjuvant injection (polyarthritis does not appear until approximately the tenth day after adjuvant administration), the animals receive 6 daily medications of test compound suspended by triturating in 1 percent gum tragacanth using a ground glass homogenizer and administered by gavage in a volume of l ml/l00 g body weight. Both the negative control and adjuvant injected control animals receive the vehicle only. Food and water are permitted ad libitum. Twenty-four hours after the last medication, the animals are weighed, the degree of arthritic involvement, i.e., increase in foot volume and plasma inflammation units are determined. Foot volume is measured plethysmographically in the unanesthetized rat.

The compounds of the invention having formulas l and II were found to be effective as antiinflammatory agents when administered to rats, as disclosed hereinabove, in the amounts of 40 to 160 mg per kilogram of body weight per dosage unit depending upon the compound used and the condition to be treated. The actual determination of the numerical biological data definitive for a particular compound is readily determined by standard test procedures by technicians having ordinary skill in pharmacological test procedures, without the need for any extensive experimentation.

The compounds having formula I and II and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be prepared for use by conventional pharmaceutical procedures; that is, they can be incorporated in unit dosage form in tablets or capsules for oral administration either alone or in combination with suitable adjuvants such as calcium carbonate, starch, lactose, talc, magnesium stearate, gum acacia, and the like; or as aqueous or oil suspensions or solutions in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle such as aqueous alcohol, glycol, oil solutions or oil water emulsions for oral or parenteral administration.

The molecular structures of the compounds of this invention were assigned on the basis of the method of their synthesis and study of their infrared, and in some cases, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, and confirmed by the correspondence between calculated and found values for the elementary analysis for representative examples.

The invention is illustrated by the following examples without, however, being limited thereto.

EXAMPLE I A. 9-Benzoyll ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid 9-Benzoyll ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid (3.7 g.) was heated at l-200 C., till carbon dioxide evolution ceased, to give 2.5 g. of the title compound; m.p. 188-l90 C. (benzene). B. 9-Benzoyl-1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dic arboxylic acid l-Benzoyl-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (5g) and 4g. of cyclohexanone-4,4-dicarboxylic acid in 10 ml. of glacial acetic acid were heated at 6070 C. for 30 minutes. The mixture was diluted with water and the resulting solid was collected by filtration and washed with water to give 7.1 g. of the title compound; m.p. C. (acetone and hexane).

EXAMPLE 2 A. 9-(4-Chlorobenzoyl)- l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbagiole- 3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example lA but using 3.7 g. of 9-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-1,2,31,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained 2.5 g. of the title compound; m.p. 2lO-2l 1 C. (benzene-hexane). B. 9-( 4-Chlorobenzoyl )-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3,3-dicarboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example I but using 10.7 g. of l-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and 13 g. of cyclohexanone- 4,4-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained crude product, a solution of which in ether was extracted with potassium bicarbonate solution. Acidification of the bicarbonate extract with 10 percent hydrochloric acid and collection of the resulting solid by filtration yielded 2.7 g. of the title compound; m.p. 210-2l2 C. (ethyl acetate-benzene EXAMPLE 3 A. 9Benzoyl-6,7-dimethoxy-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydroc arbazole-3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1A but using 5 g. of 9-benzoyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained 2.5 g. of the title compound; m.p. l9l-l94 C. (benzene-hexane). B. 9-Benzoyl-6,7-dimethoxy-l,2,3,4tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example IE but using 9.3 g. of l-benzoyl-l-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) hydrazine hydrochloride (m.p. l50-l56 C.) and 6 g. of cyclohexanone-4,4-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained 8 g. crude title compound used directly in the next step; m.p. of purified title compound, 222 C. dec. (benzene EXAMPLE 4 EXAMPLE 5 A. 9-(4-Fluorobenzoyl)-1,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1A but using 4.3 g. of 9-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-l,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained 3.2 g. of the title compound; m.p. 180-l82 C. (acetone-hexane). B. 9-(4-Fluorobenzoyl)- 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3,3-dicarboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but using 5.8 g. of l-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-1-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (m.p. 173l77 C.) and 4.5 g. cyclohexanone-4,4-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained 7 g. of the title compound; m.p. l90195 C.

EXAMPLE 6 A. 9-( 4-Anisoyl)-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1A but using 5.6 g. of 9-(4-anisoyl)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained 3.3 g. of the title compound; m.p. 195 C. B. 9-(4-Anisoyl)- l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3- dicarboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but using 4.6 g. of 1-(4-anisoyl)-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (m.p. l68l70 C.) and 3.6 g. cyclohexanone-4,4-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained 3.3 g. of the title compound; m.p. 205207 C. (benzene-hexane).

EXAMPLE 7 A. 9-( 3 ,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoyl)-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of FIG. 1A but using the 9-( 3 ,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid obtained in 78 below there was obtained 5 g. of the title compound; m.p. 234-236 C. B. 9-( 3 ,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoyl)-l ,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but using 5.4 g. of l-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-1 phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and 3.6 g. of cyclohexanone-4,4-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained the title compound; m.p. 208 C.

EXAMPLES 9-(3-Toluoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1A but using 4.3 g. of 9-(3-toluoyl)-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained 3.2 g. of the title compound; m.p. 180-182 C. B. 9-( 3-Toluoyl)-1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3- dicarboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 13 but using 5.6 g. of 1-( 3-toluoyl)-1phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (m.p. 170172 C.) and 4.5 g. of cyclo hexanone-4,4-dicarboxylic acid there was obtained 6.6 g. of the title compound; m.p. 195-200 C.

EXAMPLE 9 9-Benzoyl-6-methyl-1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3- carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but using 10.6 g. of l-benzoy1-1(4-tolyl) hydrazine,

hydrochloride (m.p. 155 C. dec. and 6.5 g. of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 9.6 g. of the title compound; m.p. 200202 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 1O 9-( 4-fluorobenzoy1)-6-methyl-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but using 15.6 g. of l-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-l-(4-tolyl) hydrazine hydrochloride (m.p. 155 C. dec. and 8.4 g. of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 12.7 g. of the title compound; m.p. 230-233 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 1 1 9-[3-(Trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]- l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using 10 g. of 1[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]- lphenylhydrazine hydrochloride and 5.73 g. of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 8.8 g. of the title compound; m.p. l73l75 C. (etherhexane).

EXAMPLE l2 9-(4-t-Butylbenzoyl)-1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3- carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but using 19 g. of 1(4-t-butylbenzoyl)- l phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and 10.7 g. of cyclohexanone- 4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 13.7 g. of the title compound; m.p. 174l 75 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE l3 9-( 3-Bromobenzoyl l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using 10.7 g. of l-(3-bromobenzoyl)- l -phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and 5.35 g. of cyclohexanone- 4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 10.2 g. of the title compound; m.p. l-186 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE l4 9-Benzoyl-6-fluoro- 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-.carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1B Following a procedure Similar to that of Example 1B but using 11 g. of l-benzoyl-l-(4-fluorophenyl) hydrazine hydrochloride and 6.87 g. of cyclohexanone- 4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 10.5 g. of the title compound; m.p. 218-220C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 115 EXAMPLE l6 9-( 4 Toluoyl)6-fluoro-l ,2 ,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3- carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but using 10 g. of l-(4-toluoyl)-l-(4-fluorophenyl) hydrazine hydrochloride and 5.23 g. of'cyclohexanone- 4-carboxylic acid there was obtained'9.'7 :g. of the title compound; m.p. 229-23 1 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 1'7 9-(4-Fluorobenzoyl )-6-fluoro- 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example PB but using 12.2 g. of l-(4-'fluorobenzoyl)-l-(4- fluorophenyl) hydrazine hydrochloride (m.p. 175 C. dec. and 6.5 g. of cyclohexanone-4 carboxylic acid there was obtained 12.2 g. of the title-compound; m-.p. l 95-196 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 18 9-( 4-Anisoyl)-6-methyl-l ,2 ,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3- carboxylic acid Following a'procedure similar to that of Example lbut using 3.3 g. of l-(4-anisoyl)-l-(4 tolyl)hydrazine hydrochloride (m.p. 149153 C.) and 1.91 :g. of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 5.1 g. of the title compound; m.-p. '172 173 C. (isopropyl alcohol).

EXAMPLE l9 9-(4-Anisoyl)-6-fluorol ,2 ,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3- carboxylic acid Following a'procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using 14 g. of 1-(4-anisoyl)-l-(4-fluorophenyl) hydrazine hydrochloride .and 7.03 b. of cyclohexanone- 4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 13.5 g. of the'title compound; m.p. 197-198 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 2O 9-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-6 methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but using 1 1 g. of l-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl) hydrazine hydrochloride and -6.2 g. of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 3.2 g. of the title compound; m.p. .269273 C. (tetrahydrofuranether).

EXAMPLE 2.1

9-Benzoyl-6-methoxy-1 ,2, 3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 carboxylic acid Following ;a procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using 8.9 g. of l benzoyl-l-'(4-methoxyphenyl) hydrazine hydrochloride and4.97 g. of cyclohexanone- 4-4-carboxylic :acid there was obtained 8.9 g. of the title compound; m.-p. 2 1 6- 2'l9 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 22 9-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-6-methyl-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocar- 'bazole-3-carboxylicacid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using 16.5 ,g. of l(4-.chlorobenzoyl)-1(4-tolyl) hydrazine hydrochloride and 9.93 g. of cyclohexanone- 4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 8.9g. of the title compound; -m.p..2l 1 -214" C. (isopropyl alcohol).

EXAMPLE .2 3

tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carb.oxylic;acid

Followinga procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using 6.3 g. l-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-l-(4-methoxyphenyl) hydrazine hydrochloride and 2.98 g. of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic .acid there was obtained 3.7 g. of the title compound; m.p. 258-260 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 24 '9-(4 Toluoyl )-6-methoxy-'1 ,2,3 ,4 tetrahydrocarbazole- 3-carboxylic acid Following approcedurezsimilarito that of Example 18 but using 5.6g. of 1-(4-toluoyl)-l-(4 methoxyphenyl) hydrazine hydrochloride'and 3.7 g. of cyclohexanone- 4-.carboxylic acid there was obtained 7 g. of the title compound; m.p. 257-25 8 C.

EXAMPLE 25 9-(3-Anisoyl)-1,2,'3 ,4-'tetr.ahydrocarbazole-3 c.arboxylic acid Following a'procedure similar'to that of Example 1B but using 11 g. of 1-(3-anisoyl)-'l:phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and 6.1 g. of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid .there was obtained 11.2 g. of thetitle ,com-

,pound;.m.p. l97-200 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLEl26 9-( 4aEthoxybenzoyl 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 carboxylicacid Followinga procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using ,9 g. of l-(4-ethoxybenzoyl)-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochlorideandSg. of cyc1ohexanone-4- 'carboxylic acid there was-obtained 5.2g. of the title compound; m.'p. 179 -1 82 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 27 9-(3,4 Methylenedioxybenzoyl)- l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazo1e-3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using 13.6 g. of l-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzoyl)-l phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (m.p. 175-185 C.) and 6.64 g. of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 13.4 g. of the title compound; m.p.

l98-200 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 28 EXAMPLE29 9-( 3-Iodobenzoyl)-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-caI- boxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using 21.7 g. of 1-( 3-iodobenzoyl)-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and 0.5 g. of cyclohexanone- 4-carboxylic acid there was obtained 11.5 g. of the title compound; m.p. 2 l-212 C. (acetone-water).

EXAMPLE 30 9-Benzoyl-6-benzyloxy-1 ,2 ,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3- carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but using 15.5 g. of l-benzoyl-l-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)hydrazine hydrochloride and 6.4 cyclohexanone-4- carboxylic acid there was obtained 16.3 g. of the title compound; m.p. 193l94 C. (acetone-water).

Alternatively the 9-benzoyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acids above (Examples 9 to 30 inclusive) can be prepared following a procedure similar to that of Example lA but substituting for 9-benzoyl- 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid an equivalent amount of the following:

al 9-benzoyl-6-methyl-l ,2,3,4tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a-2. 9-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-6-methyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a-3. 9-[ 3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]-l ,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a-4. 9-(4-t-butylbenzoyl)-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a-5.. 9-( 3-bromobenzoyl l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a-6. 9-benzoyl-6-iluorol ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a-7. 9-( 4-toluoyl)-6-methyll ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole3,3-dicarboxy1ic acid;

a-8. 9'(4-toluoyl)-6-fluoro-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a- 9. 9-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-6-fluorol ,2,3 ,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,S-dicarboxylic acid;

a- 10. 9-(4-anisoyl)-6-methyll ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a- 1'1 9-(4-anisoyl)-6-fluoro-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

al 2. 9-( 4-chlorobenzoyl)-6-methoxy- 1 ,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a- 1 3. 9-benzoyl-6-methoxy-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a- 14. 9-(4-chlorobenzoy1)-6-methyl-1,2,13,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a-lS. tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3dicarboxylic acid;

a- 1 6. 9-(4-toluoyl)-6-methoxy-1,2,3 ,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxy1ic acid;

al 7. 9-( 3-anisoyl)-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3- dicarboxylic acid;

a- 1 8. 9-(4-ethoxybenzoyl)-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

al 9. 9-( 3,4-methylenedioxybenzoyl l ,2,3 ,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a-20. 9-( 3-chlorobenzoyl )-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydroc arbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

a-2 l. 9-( 3-iodobenzoyl)- l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid; and

a-22. 9-benzoyl-6-benzyloxy-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid. The intermediate 9-benzoyl- 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acids above (a-l to a-22) can be obtained by substituting for cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid in Examples 9 to 30 inclusive, equivalent amounts of cyclohexanone-4,4-dicarboxylic acid.

EXAMPLE 31 Ethyl 9-(4-toluoyl)- l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylate 1-(4-Toluoyl l phenylhydrazine hydrochloride l 3 g.) and 8.7 g. of ethyl cyclohexanone-4-carboxylate (prepared in situ from the corresponding ethylene ketal) in 40 ml. glacial acetic acid, and 5 ml. glacial acetic acid saturated with hydrogen chloride was warmed on a steam bath for 30 minutes, diluted with water and extracted with ether. The ether extracts were washed with potassium bicarbonate solution and water, dried, and evaporated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel using 10 percent etherpentane as eluant to give 12.7 g. of the title compound; m.p. 72 C. (hexane-ether).

EXAMPLE 3 2 Ethyl 9-benzoyll ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylate Following a procedure similar to that of Example 31 and using 11 g. of l-benzoyl-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and 7.62 g. of ethyl cyclohexane-4-carboxylate (prepared in situ from the corresponding ethylene ketal) there was obtained 6.2 g. of the title compound; m.p. 6769 C. (ether-pentane).

EXAMPLE 33 9Benzloyl-2,4-dimethyll ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1B but using 6.5 g. of l-benzoyl-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and 4.6 g. 3,5-dimethylcyclohexanone- 4-carboxylic acid and dissolving the resulting solid so obtained in 5 percent potassium bicarbonate solution followed by reprecipitation with dilute hydrochloric acid there was obtained 4.2 g. of the title compound; m.p. l42145 C. (ether-hexane).

EXAMPLE 34 A. 9-Benzoyl-1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid was acidified with 3N-hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether and the ether extract was dried and evaporated to dryness. The resulting residue was crystallized from ether-pentane and a solution of the resulting crystals in 5 percent potassium bicarbonate solution was acidified with 3N hydrochloric acid and the resulting solid was filtered and washed with water to give 1.3 g. of the titlecompound; m.p. 70-80 C.

To an ice cold solution of 28 g. of 9-benzoyl-l ,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid in 100 ml. dry methyl alcohol was added slowly a solution of 4.55 g. of 87 percent potassium hydroxide in the minimum required amount of dry methyl alcohol. The solution was diluted to one liter with anhydrous ether and the solid which formed on scratching the side of the reaction flask was collected by filtration. A second crop was obtained on further dilution. There was thus obtained 22 g. of potassium 9-benzoyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate; m.p. 254-256'C. (dec.)

B. Benzyl 9-benzoyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4- carboxylate To 0.85 g. sodium hydride in 150 ml. of dry dimethylformamide was added, portionwise, 9 g. of benzyl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate. The mixture was heated on a steam bath for fifteen minutes,

the heat was removed, 4 ml. benzoyl chloride was added dropwise to the still hot mixture and heating was resumed for 2 hours. The mixture, 'after'standing overnight at room temperature, was poured into water containing 4 ml. glacial acetic acid and the resulting mixture was extracted with ether. The ether extract was washed with sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried, and evaporated to dryness. The resulting residue in 50 ml. dimethylformamide was again treated with 0.42 g. sodium hydride and 2 ml. benzoyl chloride and worked up as described above and the resulting crude product was chromatographed on a 45 mm. by 620 mm. silica gel column using as eluant hexane and hexane containing increasing amounts of ether. There was thus obtained with 7.5 percent ether in hexane, .after evaporation to dryness and recrystallization, 4.6 g. of the title compound; m.p. 107l09C. (methyl alcohol). C. Benzyl l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate A stirred mixture of 13 g. l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid, 7.8 g. benzyl chlorideand6.5 g. sodium carbonate in dry dimethylformamide was heated on a steam bath for 1 hour and filtered. The dimethylforrnarnide was evaporated under reduced pressure and the resulting oil was taken up in ether. The ether solution was washed with water, dried and evaporated to give, after recrystallization, l5.5-ofthe title compound, mzp. l08-l 12 C. (heptane). D. 1,2,3 ,4Tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid To 40 g. 9-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid in one liter of liquid ammonia was added, with stirring and portionwise, 8.6 g. of sodium. Ammonium chloride was added portionwise until the blue color of the mixture was dissipated. The ammonia was evaporated, water was added and the mixture was extracted with ether. The aqueous solution was chilled and acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid and the resulting solid was collected by filtration and washed with water to give 23 g. of the title compound; m.p. 163165 C. (benzene-methyl alcohol).

E. 9-Benzyll ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid A mixture of 53 g. of phenylbenzylamine and 30 g. of ethyl 6-bromocyclohexanone-Z-carboxylate was maintained in a nitrogen atmosphere at 35 C. for several days. Fused powdered zinc chloride (48 g.) was added and the mixture was heated at l25-l30 C. for l hours. The cooled mixture was slurried in water and extracted with ether. The ether extract was washed with 5 percent hydrochloric acid and water, dried, and evaporated to dryness to give 38.5 g. crude ethyl ester of the title compound which was treated with a solution of 48 g. potassium hydroxide in .200 ml. water and 200 ml. ethyl alcohol at reflux temperature for three hours. The solution was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, the resulting residue was dissolved in water and the aqueous solution was extracted with ether and acidified with 10 percent hydrochloric acid. The resulting solids were collected and dried to give 27.4 g. of the title compound; m.p. 2l2215 C. (tetrahydrofuranpentane).

F. Preparation of ethyl 6-bromocyclohexanone-2-carboxylate To a stirred solution of 31 g. of ethyl cyclohexanone- 2-carboxylatein 25 ml. of ether, cooled to -10 C., was

added dropwise 35 g. of bromine. Stirring was continued 1 hour while the solution was allowed to come to room temperature. The solution was poured into ice water containing 20 g. sodium carbonate and was extracted with ether. The ether extract was washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness to give 23 g. of the title compound; 'b.p. 88-9 1 C. (0.2 mm).

EXAMPLE 35 A. 9-( 4-Toluoyl )-l ,2 ,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-c arboxylicacid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 34A but using the crude benzyl 9-(4-toluoyl)-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate, from Example 35B below, in .250 ml. ethyl acetate and 0.5 g. of 10 percent palladium-on-charcoal therewas obtained 2.6 g. of the title compound; m.p. l8 l183 C. (ether-hexane).

B. Benzyl 9-(4-toluoyl)- l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4- cal-boxylate To a steam bath warmed mixture of 1.5 g. sodium hydride in .25 ml. of dry dimethylformamide was added, dropwise and with stirring, 9.15 g. of benzyl 1,2,3 ,4-

dry

was continuedfor two hours. The mixture was cooled and diluted withether and 1.5 ml. glacial acetic acid. Water was added, the layers were separated and the etherextract was washed with water, 5 percent potassi- EXAMPLE 3 6 A. 9-Benzoyl-6-methoxy- 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 4-carboxylic acid A solution of 6.7 g. of benzyl 9-benzoyl-6-methoxy- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate in 250 ml. of ethyl acetate was hydrogenated over 1 g. palladiumon-charcoal until the required amount of hydrogen had reacted. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was slurried in ether and the resulting solid was collected by filtration to give 1.8 g. of the title compound; m.p. 157-159 C.

B. Benzyl 9-benzoyl-6-methoxy-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate Following a procedure similar to that of Example 35B but using 0.67 g. sodium hydride, 37 ml. of dry dimethylformamide, 7.5 g. of benzyl 6-methoxy- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate, and 2.9 ml. benzoyl chloride there was obtained 10.6 g. of residue which was triturated in hot hexane to give 6.7 g. of the title compound which was used without further purification in the next step.

C. Benzyl 6-methoxy-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4- carboxylate Following a procedure similar to that of Example 34C but using 37.2 g. of 6-methoxy-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid, 19.5 g. of benzyl chloride and 16.8 g. of sodium carbonate in 300 ml. of dry dimethylformamide there was obtained 40.3 g. of the title compound; m.p. 8183 C. (ethyl alcohol-pentane).

D. 6-Methoxyl ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxyl ic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 34D but using 32 g. 9-benzyl-6-methoxy-l,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid, 500 ml. of liquid ammonia and 5 g. of sodium there was obtained 7.7 g. of the title compound; m.p. 175l77 C. (tetrahydrofuran-hexane). Alternatively the title compound can be prepared by substituting an equivalent amount of 9-(4-chlorobenzyl)-6-methoxy-l,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazo1e-4-carboxylic acid for the 9-benzyl compound in this procedure.

E. 9-Benzyl-6-methoxy-l ,2 ,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4- carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 34E but using 25 g. of (4-methoxyphenyl)- benzylamine, 12.5 g. ethyl 6-bromocyclohexanone-2- carboxylate and g. of fused powdered zinc chloride; and 20 g. of potassium hydroxide in aqueous methyl alcohol, there was obtained 9.4 g. of the title compound; m.p. 179-l 83 C. (isopropyl alcohol-water).

Following a procedure similar to that of Example 36E but substituting for (4-methoxyphenyl)- benzylamine an equivalent amount of (4-methoxyphenyl)-(4-ch1orobenzyl)amine there was obtained 9- (4-chlorobenzyl )-6-methoxy-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid; m.p. 218-220 C. (dimethy1- formamide-water).

EXAMPLE 37 A. 9-(4-Chlorobenzoyl)-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 4-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 36A but using 4.6 g. benzyl 9-(4-chlorobenzoyl)- l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate in 250 m1. of ethyl acetate and l g. 10 percent palladium-on-charcoal there was obtained the title compound which, without further purification, was treated according to the procedure of Example 34A with 0.64 g. of 87 percent potassium hydroxide in 40 ml. methyl alcohol to give 3 g. of potassium 9-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-l,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxy1ate; m.p. 244-247 C. B. Benzyl 9-(4-chlorobenzoy1)-1 ,2,3 ,4tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate Following a procedure similar to that of Example 35B but using 0.8 g. sodium hydride, 90 ml. dimethylformamide, 9.15 g. of benz yl l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate and 5.4 g. of 4- chlorobenzoylchloride there was obtained 6.2 g. of the title compound; m.p. 123-124 C. (ethyl alcohol).

EXAMPLE 3 8 A. 9-(4-Ch1orobenzoyl)-6-methoxy-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 36A but using 11 g. of benzyl 9-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-6- methoxy- 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate from Example 383 below, in 250 ml. ethyl acetate and 1 g. of palladium-on-charcoal there was obtained 5.6 g. of the title compound; m.p. 167-170 C. B. Benzyl 9-(4-chlorobenzoy1)-6-methoxy-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate Following a procedure similar to that of Example 358 but using 0.85 g. sodium hydride, 50 ml. of dry dimethylformamide, 10 g. of benzyl 6-methoxy-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate, and 5.8 g. of 4- chlorobenzoyl chloride there was obtained 11 g. of the title compound which was used without purification in the next step.

EXAMPLE 39 A. 9-Benzoyl-6-methyll ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4- carboxylic acid Following a procedure similar to that of Example 36A but using 5.9 g. of benzyl 9-benzoyl-6-methyl- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-carbazole-4-carboxylate in 250 m1. ethyl acetate and 1 g. of palladium-on-charcoal there was obtained 4 g. of the title compound; m.p. 149-153 C. (ether-n-hexane). B. Benzyl 9-benzoyl-6-methyl-1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate Following a procedure similar to that of Example 35B but using 0.84 g. sodium hydride, 50 ml. of dry dimethylformamide, 9.1 g. of benzyl 6-methyl-l,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate, and 4.4 g. of benzoyl chloride, but eliminating the 1 percent aqueous hydrochloric acid wash subsequent to the bicarbonate wash, there was obtained 8.5 g. of the title compound which was purified by suspension in hot isopropyl alcohol, filtration, followed by suspension in, and filtration from, ether; m.p. 1 191 21 C. C. Benzyl 6-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate Following a procedure si ilar to that of 34C but using 8.2 g. of 6-methyl-l,2,3, tetrahydrocarbazole-4- carboxylic acid, 4.6 g. of hen yl chloride and 4 g. of sodium carbonate in 50 ml dry dimethylformarnide there was obtained 9.1 g. o the title compound; m.p. l l5-l 17 C. (ethyl alcoholentane).

D. 6-Methyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahy rocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid a Following a procedure similar to that of Example 34D but using 27.5 g. of i9-benzyl-6-methyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylic acid, 500 of liquid ammonia and 5.9 g. of sodium there was obtained l2.2 g. of the title compound; m.p. l94-l97 C. (acetone-water).

E. 9-Benzyl-6-methyl-l ,2,3, l-tetrahydrocarbazole-4- carboxylic acid Following a procedure sim' ar to that of Example 34E but using 57 g. of (4-tolyl)-benzylamine, 30 g. of ethyl 6-bromo-cyclohexanone-2 carboxylate and 48 g. of fused powdered zinc chloride; and 20 g. of potassium hydroxide in aqueous ethyl alco 01, there was obtained 33 g. of the title compound m.p. 200-208 C. (acetone-water) which on r crystallization from acetone-benzene had m.p. 202 10 C.

Following a procedure similar that of Example 31 but substituting in each case for -(4-toluoyl)-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride an eq ivalent amount of 1- benzoyl-l-phenylhydrazine hydro hloride and for ethyl cyclohexanone-4-carboxylate an e uivalent amount of the following:

methyl cyclohexanone-4-carbox late;

t-butyl cyclohexanone-4-carbox late; and hexyl cyclohexanone-4-carboxyl te; there can be obtained respectively b-l methyl 9-benzoyl-l ,2,3,4-te rahydrocarbazole-3 -carboxylate; b-2. t-butyl 9-benzoyl-l,2,3,4-te ahydrocarbazole-3 -carboxylate; and i b-3. hexyl 9-benzoyl-l,2,3,4-tetr hydrocarbazole-3- carboxylate. The intermediate cyclohexanone-4 carboxylates above can be prepared from the corre onding free acids respectively using the stand rd esterification procedures disclosed hereinabove.

The title compound of Example 1 can alternatively be obtained from the correspondin t-butyl ester (b-2) above by pyrolysis according to th general procedure disclosed hereinabove.

Following a procedure similar to at of Example 1B but substituting in each case for c clohexanone-4,4- dicarboxylic acid an equivalent a ount of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid and for l-benzoyl-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride an equival nt amount of the hydrochlorides of the following:

l-( naphthoyl l -phenylhydrazine;

1-( 2-naphthoyl)- l -phenylhydrazi e;

l-(4-chlorol -naphthoyl l -(4-m thoxyphenyl)hydrazine;

l-( 6-bromo-2-naphthoyl)- l -(4-chl rophenyl)hydrazine;

l-( 4-methoxyl -naphthoyl l-ph nylhydrazine; l-( 4-dimethylaminol -n aphthoyl l phenylhydrazine; and f 1-(4,8-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2-naphthoyl l-phenylhydrazine; 7 there can be obtained respectively 0- l 9-( l-naphthoyl l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 carboxylic acid; c-2. 9-( 2-naphthoyl)- l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3- carboxylic acid; c-3. 9-(4-ch1orol -naphthoyl )-6-methoxyl ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid; c-4. 9-(6-bromo-2-naphthoyl )-6-chlorol ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid; 0-5. 9-( 4-fluoro- 1 -naphthoyl)-6-methoxyl ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid; c-6.

tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid; c-7. 9-( 4-dimethylaminol-naphthoyl l ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid; and c-8. 9-(4,8-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2-naphthoyl)- l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid. The intermediate l-naphthoyll -phenylhydrazine hydrochlorides above can be prepared from the corresponding naphthoyl chlorides and phenylhydrazines respectively following the general procedure disclosed hereinabove. The naphthoyl chlorides can be obtained from the corresponding known naphthoic acids using the standard procedure disclosed hereinabove.

Alternatively the 9-naphthoyl-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acids above (c-l to c-8) can be obtained by pyrolytic decarboxylation using a procedure similar to that of Example 1A but substituting for 9- benzoyl-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid an equivalent amount respectively of the following:

d-l. 9-( 1-naphthoyl)- l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3,3-dicarboxylic acid; d-2. 9-(2-naphthoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3,3-dicarboxylic acid; d-3. 9-(4-chlorol -naphthoyl)-6-methoxyl ,2,3 ,4-

' tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid; d-4. 9-( 6-bromo-2-naphthoyl )-6-chloro-l ,2 ,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; d-5. 9-(4-fluorol -naphthoyl)-6-methoxyl ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; d-6. 9-(4-methoxy-l-naphthoyl)-1,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; d-7. 9-(4-dimethylamino-l-naphthoyl)-1,2,3 ,4- tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid; and d-8. 9-(4,8-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2-naphthoyl)- l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid. The above intermediate 3,3-dicarboxylic acids (d-l to d-8) can be prepared by following a procedure similar to that of Example 1B but substituting for l-benzoyl-lphenylhydrazine hydrochloride an equivalent amount respectively of the hydrochlorides of the corresponding l-naphthoyl-l-phenylhydrazines listed above as intermediates in the preparation of compounds c-l to c-8.

Following a procedure similar to that of Example 1B but substituting in each case for cyclohexanone-4,4- dicarboxylic acid an equivalent amount of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid and for l-benzoyl-l-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride an equivalent amount of the hydrochlorides of the following:

l-( 4-trichloromethoxybenzoyl 1 4-hexylphen yl)hydrazine; l-( 4-hexyloxybenzoyl l-( 4-t-butylphenyl)hydrazine;

9-( 4-methoxy-l-naphthoyl)- l ,2,3 ,4-

(trifluoromethoxy)- l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

methylenedioxyl ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-

dicarboxylic acid;

f-8. 9-[ 2-( 3-phenylpropyl )benzoyl]- l ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

f-9. 9-[4-(Z-phenylpropyl)benzoyl]-6-isopropylthio- 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

fl 0. 9-[ 4-( dimethylamino)benzoyl1-6-isopentyloxyl ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

f- 1 2. 9-(4-isopropylthiobenzoyl)-8-chloro-6-hexyloxy-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

fl 3. 9-( 2-hexylthiobenzoyl )-5-( S-phenylpentyl l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

f-14. 9-[4-(dibutylamino)benzoyl]5-fiuoro-1,2,3,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

fl 5. 9-benzoyl-6-( diethylamino)-1 ,2,3,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

f-16. 9-benzoyl-6-( dimethylamino )-1 ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

fl 7. 9- 3-( trifluoromethoxy )benzoyl] -6-acetarnidol ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3- dicarboxylic acid;

fl 9. 9-( 3-t-butylsulfinylbenzoyl)-l ,2,3,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

f-20. 9-( 3-t-butylsulfonylbenzoyl)-8phenyl-l ,2,3,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; f-2 l 9-(4-acetamidobenzoyl)-8-phenoxy-1,2,3,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylicacid; f-22. 9-( 4-butyramidobenzoyl)-6-methylthiol ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid; f-2 3 9-benzoyl-o-methylsulfonyl-1 ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylicacid; f-24. 9-benzoyl-6-hexylsulfonyl-l ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; f-25. 9-benzoyl-4-isobutylsulfonyl- 1 ,2,3,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; f-26. 9-benzoyl-7-t-butylsulfinyl- 1 ,2,3,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; f-27. 9-benzoyl-6-methylsulfinyl-l ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; f-28. 9-benzoyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; f-29. 9-benzoyl-6-(trichloromethyl 1 ,2,3,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid; f-30. 9-(4-benzyloxybenzoyl)- l ,2,3,4-tctrahydrocar bazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid; f-3 l 9-(4-nitrobenzoyl)- 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid; and f-32. 9-benzoyl-6-nitro- 1 ,2,3,4tetrahydrocarbazole- 3,3-dicarboxylic acid. The above intermediates 3,3-dica rboxylic acids (f-l to f-32) can be prepared by following a procedure similar to that of Example 18 but-substituting for l-benzoyl-lphenylhydrazine hydrochloride an equivalent amount respectively of the hydrochlorides of the corresponding l-benzoyl-l-phenylhydrazines listed above as inter.- mediates for the preparation of compounds e-l to e-32 inclusive. The intermediate l-benzoyl-l-phenyl- 9-benzoyl-7-methoxy-6-( -phenylhexyloxy 9-( 3 ,5-dibromo-4-butoxybenzoyl)-6,7-

9[4-( 4-phenylbutoxy)benzoyl] 6= hydrazine hydrochlorides listed above can be prepared fron1 t:1he corresponding benzoyl chlorides and correspon 'g phenylhydrazine using the general procedui %fldisclosed hereinabove. The intermediate benzoyl c orides and intermediate phenylhydrazines are known compounds or can be prepared from the known anilines corresponding known benzoic acids and'corresponding respectively using the general procedures disclosed hereinabove.

By using the general procedure described hereinbefore for the hydrogenation of benzyloxy and nitro substi'tuents to ydroxy and amino substituents respectively thqe c be obtained from 9-benzoyl-6-benzyloxyl,2,3,4 tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid (Example 30), compounds e-30 to e-32 inclusive above, 9- benzoyl-6-benzyloxy-l ,2,3 ,4te trahydrocarbazole-3 ,3 dicarboxylic acid (a-22) and compounds f30 to f-32 inclusive above respectively the following:

g- 1 9-benzoyl-6-hydroxy-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydroc arbazole-3-carboxylic acid;

g-2. 9-( 4-hydroxybenzoyl )-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydroc arbazole-3-carboxylic acid;

g3. 9-( 4-arninobenzoyl)- l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid;

g-4. 9-benzoyl-6-aminol ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3-carboxylic acid;

g-5. 9-benzoyl-6-hydroxyl ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

g.-6-. 9-( 4-hydroxybenzoyl)- 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid;

g-7. 9'-( 4-aminobenzoyl 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydroc arbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid; and

g-8. 9-benzoyl-6-aminol ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3,3-dicarboxylic acid.

The 3,3-dicarboxylic acids above (g-5 to g-8) can be converted to the corresponding 3-carboxylic acids g-l to g-4 above) by pyrolytic. decarboxylation according to a procedure similar to that of Example 1A.

Alternatively, as described hereinabove, the 9- benzoyl-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acidscan be prepared from their corresponding benzyl esters. Thus, by following a procedure similar to that of Example 34A but substituting for benzyl 9-benzoyll',2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate an equivalent amount of the following:

h-l. benzyl 9-benzoyl-8-phenyl-l ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3 -carboxylate; and h-2. benzyl 9-benzoyl-6-benzyloxyl ,2,3 ,4-

tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylate there can be obtained respectively il. 9-benzoyl-8-phenyl-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3-carboxylic acid; and i-2. 9-benzoyl-6-hydroxy-l ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3-carboxylic acid. The intermediate benzyl esters h-l and h-2 above can be prepared by following a procedure similar to that of Example 35B but substituting in each case for 4-toluoyl chloride an equivalent'amount of benzoyl chloride and for benzyl l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-4-carboxylate an equivalent amount respectively of the following:

j-l benzyl 8-phenyll ,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3- carboxylate; and j-2. benzyl 6-benzy1oxy-l,2,3 ,4-tetrahydrocarbazole- 3-carboxylate. 

2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein (Ar) represents a napthalene ring.
 3. A compound accOrding to claim 1 wherein (Ar) represents a benzene ring.
 4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein Q and Q1 represent members of the group consisting of lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, phenyl-lower-alkoxy, amino, di(lower-alkyl)amino, halo and hydrogen.
 5. A compound according to claim 4 wherein m represents an integer from 0 to (1-n) inclusive; and p represents an integer from 0 to (1-g) inclusive.
 6. A compound according to claim 5 wherein a member represented by Q or Z occurs at the 6-position of the tetrahydrocarbazole ring; and a member represented by Q1 or Z1 occurs at the 4-position of the benzene ring represented by (Ar).
 7. 9-Benzoyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid according to claim
 6. 8. 9-(4Fluorobenzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid according to claim
 6. 9. 9-(4-Chlorobenzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid according to claim
 6. 10. 9-(4-Toluoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole-3,3-dicarboxylic acid according to claim
 6. 